My Life & Stuff

HELLO! So transfers is this wednesday but it doesn't matter cause I'm staying in the same place with the same companion. This transfer should be pretty sweet! We're going to baptize and thrash it up! My birthday went well too! My district all went out to Texas Roadhouse together on Saturday. So that was fun! But we found a bunch of new investigators this week! Definitely a miracle. :)

My district leader, Elder Ives, goes home on Wednesday though. So, that's really sad cause I really like him. But there's not really any stories I can think of so I'll just send a bunch of pics. :) 

19th Birthday

my life right now...

Pip pip Cheerio!

Hello everyone! This week was really good but not so really good at the same time. The really good parts is that we went to the temple in Kansas City on Tuesday, a zone training on wednesday, and on Saturday we had a baptism which is a funny story that i'll get too. But that resulted in not a whole lot of proselyting time available, so no new stuff really and the work wasn't the best. But this week is the last week of the transfer, so we're just going to kill it this week! This transfer went by super fast by the way! But anyways! Baptism Story! So, it's the day of Raymonds baptism! Me, Elder Stum, our Ward Mission Leader Brother Groth, and Raymond are all dressed in white and the baptismal service has begun. We struggled to help him down the steps and into the baptismal font. When he was finally in the font we were relieved, but we had no idea what kind of struggles lied ahead. Attempt number one was very unsuccessful. As we tipped him down into the water, for some reason he inhaled and kept his eyes wide open. He started to panic. The look on his face was the essence of fear. So naturally, the moment we heard gargling we brought him back up. That's when we knew we couldn't do this alone. I summoned another Elder, whom is our district leader and is known by the name Elder Ives and the 2nd Counselor in our bishopric whom is known by Brother Ismert. We told them to put some jumpsuits on and hop in! Once the five of us, not including Raymond himself, were in the font we were ready to get this guy baptized. After one more failed attempt, we were more determined then ever! Third times the charm we got this 495 pound man fully submersed! We all smiled from ear to ear and Raymond was now entered into a covenant. Doesn't get better than that folks! But I hope everyone has a great week, and don't forget to find joy in the little things!Love, Elder McGee!

Reportin' Live from Kansas!!

This week was good! We had to postpone Raymond's baptism though because we couldn't find something big enough for him to wear in time. But he will be getting baptized this Saturday 4 sure!

Our ward mission leader got in contact with the temple I believe and found something that will fit him. And speaking of temples, my zone gets to go on a temple trip tomorrow! We will be going to the Kansas City Temple. It'll be awesome, can't wait!

But a cool miracle this week, we got a new person investigating the church named Anthony, he is a super solid and genuine guy. We had one of the most spiritual and smooth lessons I've ever had, when we taught him the Restoration. Me and Elder Stum teach pretty well together. We have a good time! 

I don't have a ton to say this week but I love being a missionary, even when it blows to be a missionary...if that makes sense. I love being a disciple of Jesus Christ. This is the best gig in the world. haha 

And I'm so grateful for all of you and the support and examples you were to me and for your emails, I appreciate them a lot. I love ya and Heavenly Father loves you as well.

-Elder McGee 

Hey loved ones!

Hey loved ones!

This week was good! We worked with Raymond a lot to prepare him for his baptism this Saturday. 

Me and Elder Stum are just living it up in Holton. But what's super fun is we get to serve in Topeka from saturday night til Tuesday afternoon. So during that time we stay at this other set of elders apartment in Topeka which is super fun! Slumber Party! haha

But ya, the only down side is that we have to pack a bag every single week! 

And as many of you may or may not be aware of my birthday is coming up on the 13th which is gunna be legit because one of the other elder that we stay with on the weekends, Elder Hunt's birthday is the 14th. So the four of us are just going to live it up (as much as a missionary can "live it up") that weekend! haha

But we found some new investigators this week, which was awesome! We also went on exchanges this week. I was with Elder Hunt whose a new missionary being trained by Elder Ives. It was cool to be with a new missionary! But ya, we saw a lot of miracles during our exchange, which was super cool! Elder Hunt and Elder Ives are in charge of the YSA so also during our exchange we went to do a service project for the YSA. But it was at this Food Bank called Harvesters. We were in this assembly line putting food in these bags. And it was not my favorite experience. I learned I should never work in a factory, because assembly lines stress me out big time! I was all behind and stuff and it was pretty embarassing on my part. But ya, that's all I got. hAVE A GREAT WEEK! :)

-eLDER mCgEE

Another week on my mission!

Greetings Everyone,

So, the other day I realized something a little bit crazy. Tomorrow marks my 6 month mark on my mission! How crazy is that!?! Totes M'Gotes!This week was great, I really like Holton, and the fact that I got to move and switch things up a bit but am still serving in the same ward. I love this ward, and the people in it. Holton is real small like Colby was. I realized something about myself. I think I like doing missionary work better in small towns but I could never live in one permanently. For living, definitely bigger towns or city. But ya, That's kinda irrelevant anyways. This week was good! We had three investigaters that we're teaching in Holton come to sacrament meeting and one investigator that we're teaching in Topeka at sacrament. Weird how that is huh? Holton is 40 minutes from the church but more investigators came from there than from here in Topeka. But we have a man named Raymond, who is the spouse of a recent convert, on date for Baptism on the 31st. We've just about taught him everything and he is from Holton. It'll be an interesting Baptismal service, because he is a 400 pound man. So we'll probably have to get like 4 priesthood holders in the font to baptize him. But ya, I guess I haven't told you much about my new comp, Elder Stum. He is from Utah like everyone else in this mission :/ hahaBut ya, he's really strange and funny. I like him. He's been out like over a year so ya. Top-notch guy. haha But my father, asked me to share what gospel topic is my favorite to share with investigators. And that's definitely got to be reciting the first vision to them! It's so powerful! I also just try to bring some "umph" to the lessons, you know? haha I don't know how many of you know but the actual definition of the word gospel means "good news". So, when we share the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are sharing the good news that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind and because of him you can live a happy and meaningful life! That's pretty bigtime! And I like people to see and grasp that. That doesn't mean we don't share serious and spiritual experiences with the people we teach. But there's also a time to rejoice, you know? Well, I think I'm going to dip out now but I love you guys and have a wonderful week!-Elder McGee

Elder Stum

This week of my life...

Hello friends and family! :)

So, Transfers was this week so I have a new comp named Elder Stum and me and my massive polynesian pal were separated :(

Most of the streets of Topeka are pretty dang shady and criminal crap happens there all the time but it didn't even phase me walking down those streets cause i had this polynesian Goliath on my side...and the Lord too of course! haha

But that brings up something! So our ward boundaries cover a lot of area including this small town called Holton along with a couple other little towns nearby. So how it used to be was the Sister missionaries in our ward lived in Holton and me and elder pututau lived like 5 minutes from the church in Topeka. But they switched it as of last wednesday on transfer day when i picked up Elder Stum . So we live in Holton and the sisters live in Topeka. And Holton is about 40 minutes from Topeka. So me and Elder Stum are now in charge of teaching and finding everyone in Holton and teaching the single males in Topeka. So we travel a great deal. And on top of that both of the sisters are brand new to the area because they decided to white wash the sisters. So essentially I'm the only one who knew anything about this area so i had to fill people in and stuff. I have no idea why they would leave me to be the only missionary staying in the ward. It's like they trust me or something...

But anyways this past couple days has consisted of planning, meeting new people, organizing, and figuring out who teaches who. So this transfer should be an adventure. So yeah, don't send anything to my old address cause i moved but i'm still in the same ward and technically same area as well.  But yeah, love you all and have a marvelous week! :)

-Elder McGee

2015!

heyyy!So, this week is transfers and just an hour ago we found out what was happening. I will be staying here in Topeka but Elder Pututau is leaving to go to Wichita. So that's definitely a bummer. Work wise this week I don't remember too much about what even happened, but we did have some really good lessons and put some more people on date to be baptized. Topeka is about to just explode!  But last Monday we went on a tour the Capital building, so that was really cool! My father wanted me to share this week a spiritual experience on my mission and what has been the most difficult thing about being on my own. And I've had lots of spiritual experiences but a couple of times this has happened to me where we go over to a less active members home and they are telling us their story and they've gone through quite a bit of trials. And then at the end asking if they want a blessing and feeling the spirit so strong during that. And I've seen that rekindle their fire or passion for the gospel. I've definitely learned to love to exercise my priesthood. I've also realized how I took it for granted, it is such a blessing to be able to act in God's name to help others. And something that is difficult for me is probably the planning and organization part of missionary work. I'm sure some of you are like "no surprise there". hahaBut yeah, I hope every one had a fabulous New Years! 
Love, Elder McGee 

Dakoda's Baptism

Capital building in Topeka